NAGAFF Slams Four Freight Associations, Calls For Deregistration Over CRFFN Dispute

NAGAFF Slams Four Freight Associations, Calls For Deregistration Over CRFFN Dispute

National President NAGAFF High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, addressing the press today at NAGAfF Head Quarters Apapa Lagos

By Frank Odinukaeze

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has strongly criticized four sister associations -Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents ANLCA, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria AREFFN, National Association of Freight Forwarders and Consolidators NAFFAC, and National Council of Managing Directors and Licenced Customs Agents NCMDLCA—accusing them of undermining the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and attempting to derail ongoing government reforms in the maritime sector.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, NAGAFF National President, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, condemned the recent actions of the associations, who have openly backed a Federal High Court judgment obtained by Mr. Lucky Amiwero of NCMDLCA in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/2018. The ruling questioned CRFFN’s authority to regulate customs agents and collect the mandatory Practitioner Operating Fee (POF).

Ezisi noted that despite the appeal and stay of execution filed by CRFFN—rendering the court ruling unenforceable—the four
are “opportunistically exploiting” the judgment for personal and political gains.

“It is ironic that Mr. Amiwero himself has criticized the same associations now leveraging his legal victory,” Ezisi said. “This exposes the deep-seated opportunism and raises serious questions about their credibility and true intentions.”

NAGAFF also accused the groups, particularly ANLCA, of a long-standing history of opposition to CRFFN, including attempts to introduce a rival bill in the National Assembly and consistently challenging past CRFFN elections in court whenever results were unfavourable.

Central to the current tension, Ezisi said, is the appointment of Mr. Kingsley Igwe, a former NAGAFF Secretary, as CRFFN Registrar—a move that triggered what the association described as a politically motivated litigation.

“Let it be clear,” Ezisi declared, “those who no longer believe in the mandate of CRFFN should exit the stage.”

NAGAfF president,High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi,flanked. By two National officers,,

He warned of a broader agenda aimed at sabotaging reforms championed by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and called on the Federal Government to investigate what he described as “economic and regulatory sabotage” disguised as activism.

Furthermore, NAGAFF accused the dissenting associations of defaulting on their financial obligations to CRFFN and failing to align with the new Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act of 2023. The association urged CRFFN to consider deregistering the four associations and called for the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to revoke their certificates in the national interest.

Despite the controversy, NAGAFF praised the performance of Registrar Igwe, highlighting his achievements, including:

Diversifying CRFFN’s funding sources beyond POF,

Commencing the training of 1,000 freight forwarders in 2025, with 300 already trained,

Promoting digital modernization and stakeholder collaboration to enhance regulatory effectiveness.

The association passed a vote of confidence on Igwe’s leadership and reaffirmed its support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the supervision of the Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON.

“NAGAFF remains committed to professionalism, transparency, and national service,” Ezisi concluded.